Buses, trucks and cars on Town Square in the early 1950s. Photo courtesy of Sonia Neary Harvey.

Motorized Vehicles

​When Harold Kitchen moved to Bell Island with his family in 1922, there were only three motor cars on Bell Island and no trucks. September 1924 was the first time motor cars on Bell Island were mentioned in the media when four men were named in The Daily News as being the owners of new cars. The number of cars had risen to 23 by 1925.

Automobiles were such a rarity in 1928 that it was noted in a spring issue of the St. John's Daily News that there was a local Motor Association on Bell Island with elected officers, most of whom were local dignitaries. C.B. Archibald, the manager of Wabana Mines, was president; Angus MacDonald was vice-president; D.A. Fraser was treasurer; and John Cramm was secretary. There was a Road Management Committee consisting of P. Kent, T.F. Neary, J.B. Petrie, and Dr. H.A. Giovannetti.

Much dissatisfaction existed among the Island's 40 car owners over the fact that license fees were going to St. John's instead of being spent on local roads. It was also noted that Miss Annie Murphy was the first licensed woman driver on Bell Island. The first car from the local mainland to visit Bell Island came over in June 1928 and was driven by Sandy Morris, a salesman. At that time in Newfoundland, there were 1453 cars, 197 trucks and 65 cycles registered.

Probably the best known car on Bell Island was a 1927 Whippet owned by Edward (Ned) Kent of Lance Cove. He bought it for $1,200 in April 1928 from car dealer T.A. MacNab, Water Street, St. John's. Mr. Kent was still driving his Whippet in 1991 and had never had a breakdown in those 64 years. (See photo of mural below.)

By August 1929, 56 cars, 9 trucks and one motorcycle were registered on Bell Island.

The 1992 mural entitled "Town Square" located on the north wall of the Loyal Orange Lodge on Main Street. It shows the lower end of Town Square in 1961. Front and center in the mural is the 1927 Whippet with Ned Kent at the wheel.